Single Market for Goods

Single Market for Goods

The EU Single Market for Goods consists of 500 million consumers and 21 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Trade within the internal market is essential for the growth of enterprises and inward investment. The European Commission’s main goal is to ensure the free movement of goods within the market, and to set high safety standards for consumers and the protection of the environment.

The benefits of the Single Market for Goods

EU business benefit from:

a 'home market' of over 500 million consumers for their products

easier access to a wide range of suppliers and consumers

lower unit costs

greater commercial opportunities.

EU citizens benefit from:

lower prices

more innovation and faster technological development

higher standards of safety and environmental protection.

On this website

New Legislative Framework - to improve the internal market for goods and strengthen the conditions for placing a wide range of products on the EU Market, the New Legislative Framework was adopted in 2008. More about the New Legislative Framework

Building blocks of Single Market - legislation on Single Market for goods aims to ensure that products placed on the EU market meet high health, safety and environmental requirements. Products allowed to be sold in the EU can circulate without barriers to trade and with a minimum of administrative burden. More about the building blocks of Single Market

Free movement in harmonised and non-harmonised sectors - the principle of free movement of goods ensures that these provisions do not lead to the creation of unjustified barriers to trade. More about the free movement of goods

International aspects of the Single Market - through its relations with non-member countries, the EU tries to ensure the best possible conditions for international trade in regulated products. More about the international aspects

Guidance on EU product rules

Comprehensive guidance on the implementation of EU product rules can be found in the so-called Blue Guide (2 MB).